Subsidy Programs

The Town of Oakville works to ensure that all residents have the opportunity to access programs and services offered by the Recreation and Culture department.

Recreation Connection

Under the Recreation Connection program, financial assistance is available based on total net income of all family members and the number of people in your household.

Once your application is received and approved, you will receive an account and registration information letter. Each eligible family member on your application will receive a credit of $300 which is valid for one year. You may apply for and receive the credit once per year.

Applications for Recreation Connection will be ongoing throughout the year. The first day of each customer's 12-month enrolment period will be the date their credit is added to their account.

How do I qualify?

To qualify for the Recreation Connection program, the applicant must:

Be a resident of Oakville;

Have a total net individual or combined family income below LICO (Low Income Cut-Offs);

Provide recent official documentation that shows total family net income, and proof that all dependents are the legal responsibility of the adult and reside in the adult’s household, using one or more of the following original statements/documents:

Notice of Assessment form (T451)

Canada Child Tax Benefit Notice

Dependents under the age of 18 cannot apply as individuals. A parent or legal guardian must complete an application on their behalf. If your child is receiving recreation referral assistance funds, other than Child Care Fee Subsidy from Halton Region, they are not eligible for the Recreation Connection program. Full-time, post-secondary students are not eligible for the Recreation Connection program.

Proof of total family net income and legal responsibility for all dependents listed on the application.

Town of Oakville Recreation and Culture staff will forward all eligible applications to Town Hall for processing. This will take up to seven business days, approximately. A welcome letter will be provided with registration information.

How do I register for a program after being approved?

Once the credit has been applied to your account, you will be able to register in programs of your choice: online, in person at Town Hall, or by mail, fax and drop-off. All conditions related to recreation and culture programs including transfers, membership changes, withdrawals and missed classes apply.

Programs and services that are ineligible for fee assistance include:

Library programs

Facility rentals

Single admission (pay-as-you-go)

Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts show tickets

Material fees and concession items

Frequently Asked Questions

What is LICO?

Statistics Canada uses the term Low Income Cut-Off or LICO. Essentially LICO is a statistical number that defines where financial assistance is required. It is based on where you live, the size of your family and income. LICO is used to determine eligibility in assistance programs by most municipalities that run programs like Recreation Connection.

Can I use my credit towards my child’s activities?

Your individual credit cannot be transferred to other family members or individuals.

Can I use some of my own funds along with my credit to pay for a program?

You have the option to either use the credit to cover the full program or membership cost or to pay a portion yourself using an accepted payment method. This can only be done when registering in person.

Can I carry over my credit to the next year?

The credit has no real cash value. Any refunds from cancelled or withdrawn programs will be returned to your account as a credit. Any unused credits remaining at the end of your enrolment period cannot be carried over or transferred to another individual or family member or redeemed for cash.

Once my credit is used up can I receive more?

If you continue to meet all of the eligibility criteria you can reapply for the program once per year. Applications for the next year may be made 30 days prior to the end of your current enrolment period.

Canadian Tire JumpStart

Canadian Tire JumpStart is a community-based charitable program that helps children in financial need participate in organized sports and recreation. There are two funding periods: spring/summer and fall/winter.

Fee subsidies

Fee subsidies for recreational activities operated by the town are offered through:

Healthy Babies/Healthy Children Program

Child Care Program

Ontario Works Program

The Town of Oakville has a purchased service agreement with the Halton Region's Children's Services department. A number of Town of Oakville camp programs are eligible for Child Care Fee subsidy under this agreement.

For more information about these programs, visit the Halton Region website.

For more information and applications for Canadian Tire Jump Start or Halton Region subsidy programs contact: